"Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
This time of year should serve as reminder of all that Christ was during His time here on earth as well as what He has continued to be to each of us the past 2000 years. Unfortunately something gets lost in translation and we get sucked up in the commercialism of Christmas instead of the Spirit of Christmas. This time of year should be a reflection of what Christ offers us; He offers us grace, he offers us peace and he offers love...all of these are his gifts, his presents to us. As Christians we are to be Christ-like, to be Christ-focused and to be Christ-centered in all we do. He called us to be Holy just as He is Holy. Have we kept Christ in CHRISTmas or have we placed under our trees other gifts that seem more attractive? Many Christians like to take phrases and reuse them, nothing wrong with them, but if we don't bring them into our hearts and apply them then that is all that they are, phrases. Such as Jesus is the Reason for the Season, Keep Christ in CHRISTmas... and on and on. We can say these phrases often and probably most really mean them but how do we apply them into actions to others not only at Christmas but every day of the year?
We can take the blessings of Christmas and use the celebration of our Savior's birth to open new doors, to begin to minister to hearts who have never received Christ or maybe just have forgotten what it means to receive God's present of life eternal. We can take the lights of Christmas that we all love to look at this time of year and turn them into light's for His Holiness, sharing that light with others letting them know Christ is the light of the world and without Him we would remain in darkness.
God is calling us to be Holy, to be His gift to the world. You are a gift to this world, you were designed for a purpose and plan that only you can fulfill. The Holy Spirit surrounds you and guides you. What gift(s) can you share this Christmas season with another, maybe a neighbor, a friend, a family member or maybe even the person who you don't even know? God is calling, He is asking you to make your attitude that of gratitude and to share His gift of Holiness especially in this season of new life.
Christmas Blessings,
Heather
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Contentment, Philippians 4:11-12
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."
First let me begin with apologies for not taking the time to share with you lately. Time has somehow gotten away from me and in that I found that I had little time to get on my computer and share the things God has been sharing with me. Perhaps appropriate with tonight's word to be content in all things.
I have had quite the journey so far in life and I find more stress and grief in being discontented in what I already have at the present moment whether it be in material things, financial gain or in recognition for the work that I've accomplished. In all these things I find discontentment and an unsettling of my spirit. This spills often into other areas of my life, the more stressed I become the more I affect the relationships around me. If my spirit is at a state of unrest I become irritable and negative and begin a chain reaction to those that I have in my life and even those I encounter outside of my home. My discontentment sows seeds of discontentment instead seeds of contentment and joy from the Father.
God has always provided for me. Even during those more difficult times when I thought the need simply was not going to be met, He shows up, He provides and He reminds me that He never forsakes me. What I still work on is being content in all things that He does and even in those things He does not do. Sometime being told NO is the best thing for me. Being content is difficult I think for many of us. We see what others have and think we need that too, or why does sister so and so or brother so and so have so much and I struggle just to get by. The real question is why are you comparing your life to sister and brother so and so? Does God not provide for all your needs and then some?
Today our sermon at church reminded me that things here on earth are so temporary, my true gain is in Heaven where I will spend eternity. But what I must remember is that what I sow here on earth I reap in Heaven... I don't want to have an eternity filled with discontentment.
What have you been complaining about to God that you don't have that you think you just can't live without? Is that really the case or have our desires become so great that we can't find true contentment in the things that the God of this universe has provided for us to meet our needs? Has greed begun to creep into places of your heart that are saved for places of charity? Begin to focus on being content in all things this day.
Blessings,
Heather
First let me begin with apologies for not taking the time to share with you lately. Time has somehow gotten away from me and in that I found that I had little time to get on my computer and share the things God has been sharing with me. Perhaps appropriate with tonight's word to be content in all things.
I have had quite the journey so far in life and I find more stress and grief in being discontented in what I already have at the present moment whether it be in material things, financial gain or in recognition for the work that I've accomplished. In all these things I find discontentment and an unsettling of my spirit. This spills often into other areas of my life, the more stressed I become the more I affect the relationships around me. If my spirit is at a state of unrest I become irritable and negative and begin a chain reaction to those that I have in my life and even those I encounter outside of my home. My discontentment sows seeds of discontentment instead seeds of contentment and joy from the Father.
God has always provided for me. Even during those more difficult times when I thought the need simply was not going to be met, He shows up, He provides and He reminds me that He never forsakes me. What I still work on is being content in all things that He does and even in those things He does not do. Sometime being told NO is the best thing for me. Being content is difficult I think for many of us. We see what others have and think we need that too, or why does sister so and so or brother so and so have so much and I struggle just to get by. The real question is why are you comparing your life to sister and brother so and so? Does God not provide for all your needs and then some?
Today our sermon at church reminded me that things here on earth are so temporary, my true gain is in Heaven where I will spend eternity. But what I must remember is that what I sow here on earth I reap in Heaven... I don't want to have an eternity filled with discontentment.
What have you been complaining about to God that you don't have that you think you just can't live without? Is that really the case or have our desires become so great that we can't find true contentment in the things that the God of this universe has provided for us to meet our needs? Has greed begun to creep into places of your heart that are saved for places of charity? Begin to focus on being content in all things this day.
Blessings,
Heather
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